Beijing is looking for a closer relationship with Ottawa. Should Canada play ball?

OTTAWA — Beijing is seeking to improve relations with Ottawa after years of diplomatic unease, and though it’s not clear whether Canada is ready to play ball, some experts say there are practical reasons to look for better co-operation. “The strained relations between our two countries is actually not what we would like to see,” China's ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu, said in a recent interview. “We can be engaged in a candid and constructive dialogue.” This year has already marked an uptick in high-level talks. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly had a lengthy call with her Chinese counterpart Wang…